An official at C-SPAN 2 says its all-night broadcast likely drew a larger than usual audience. And Cruz was trending on Twitter, with tea party groups that support him urging people to call their members of Congress and urge them to repeal Obamacare. Tea Party Patriots blasted an email seeking donations, and Tea Party Nation said the country faces a choice between Cruz and deal-making Republicans like House Speaker John Boehner.

Cruz urged his colleagues to prevent Senate Democrats from stripping the repeal of Obamacare from an emergency spending measure that funds the government. Lawmakers in both parties say that could lead to a government shutdown when the current budget runs out next week.